We've had snow storm after snow storm hit the Cascades recently, here in the Great Northwest. But, two weeks ago the weather cleared, and it coincided with a flight I had out of Seattle. I feel quite lucky that I picked the correct side of the plane to sit on, and that our route took the airplane so close to Mt Rainier. I had my little digital "point and shoot" snapping away as we approached the mountain from its northwest side, passed it along its west face, then banked at the southwest corner revealing a quick peek at its full southern face, before we were headed away from the mountain.

From time to time park personnel at Stones River National Battlefield turn to controlled burns to remove non-native vegetation from the battlefield. During the recent three-day Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend park crews burned 52 acres. This photo shows flames burning where interpreters explain the role of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery in the Battle of Stones River.

Covered bridges are beautiful in their own right, but when covered with snow they take on an added beauty, as this scene from Cuyahoga Valley National Park demonstrates. Photo copyright Tom Jones.

The Emerald Lake Basin in Sequoia National Park is a popular destination with winter backcountry travelers.

Sunset comes early in winter at Acadia National Park, often before 4 p.m. Under the right conditions, though, the scene can be incredible.

Located on the Tidal Basin just off the Potomac River, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks. This photo was taken in early November, although the heavy leafing of the trees might suggest otherwise.